Mujer Luminosa by Mayo Abitia Drawing

Born in Mexico City on May 6, 1934, Mayo Abitia held his first exposition at the Mexico City Museum. The son of nationally famous noted filmmaker/ photographer Jesus H. Abitia, Mayo grew up haunted under the enormous shadow of his father’s glorious career achievements and impressive historical account of the Mexican Revolution. Naturally, his father nurtured in his sons, a sense of duty and patriotism to their country, including their interest in photography. Although both children bore their father’s natural photographic talents, his mother, a devoted homemaker, favored their eldest son. Mayito, hampered by childhood insecurities to follow in his father’s footsteps and compete with his brother, accepted photography as his chosen career which lasted until the late age of 43. Mayo made a reputable name for himself in commercial photography. But regardless of his successful career with notable clients like Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen, he was overtaken by his growing fascination with art and sculpture. Courting his then girlfriend Anita, already an accomplished artist herself, he began undaunted in his full-time studies of nude and landscape. Anita quickly assessed the unmistakable spark of genius, and pushed Mayo, instilling in him a newfound confidence and unabashed zeal. Undeterred by his age and informal art studying, he was inclined to make his own name in the history of Mexico. Learning to express his true vocation as an artist and influenced by the patriotism of his father, he transformed into a master artist and sculptor. Originally, Mayo chose landscape and nude study in watercolor, oil and chalk pastel to hone his raw skill. His nude studies in particular became masterpieces of light and shadow. His nude masterworks: sacred expressions of blazing color, indulgent declarations of divine femininity. His nudes appeared in notable museums throughout Mexico City, firmly establishing himself in his new artistic endeavors. Later in life, with the management of his wife, Anita Abitia, he founded a studio for the human figure and enjoyed with great pride, a space to direct and teach his admiring disciples as Maestro Abitia. Throughout the time he achieved great success in galleries and museums, he never forgot his father’s legacy. Mayo reflected upon his ethnic roots, the roots his Mexican-European father reminded him of, and turned his artistic intentions towards the indigenous tribes of Mexico, in particular, the Tarahumara of Chihuahua and Sonora.  Relying heavily on his trusted cameras, kept from his photographer days, he documented his expeditions in the region, at times resorting to trick photography of the people that would become the inspiration from which to draw upon for his paintings. For the states of Chihuahua, Sonora and Chiapas, he created artworks of the ethnic characters in their natural setting, choosing the most representative paintings to be reproduced, forming a portfolio of each state, given to important members of the government cabinet. In 1990 he began sculpting, soon after, and not surprisingly, he received commissions by governors and presidents for sculptures of the regional Mexican natives to be presented as token gifts to visiting international dignitaries and diplomats. These treasured works of art became popular in the public sector, a nostalgic expression reminiscent of Mexico’s ancient past. In addition to his nude sculptures, Mayo Abitia was commissioned for more than ten Mexican Indian monument sculptures, all masterpieces, some of which can still be seen throughout the state of Chiapas. The body of work Mayo Abitia encompasses a captivating appeal in its truest form: exaltation for us all, seen in the face of the common man or the human figure. Today, his sculptures and paintings continue to be acquired by important collectors as part of the rich cultural heritage of Mexico.

Drawing:Chalk on Paper

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:20 W x 28 H x 0.2 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.